Arthur Kincaid James' Obituary
Arthur Kincaid James was born March 15, 1945 and departed from the world on Monday April 10, 2023.
He was known as Art, Uncle Art or Katcv to family. He was born to Elizabeth (Tecumseh) & Jesse "jP" James in Ft. Defiance, AZ on the Navajo reservation where his father was a Post Master. He had one Sister, Jessie "Pauline" lames. Grandparents were Ida & Houston Tecumseh & Lucy & John James whose Euchee name was (Zon Go Tee Tay-means someone sitting off to the side of the road watching. Art graduated Will Rogers high school and according to his niece Tricia's beliefs- he was one of the original
Greasers.
Art was enrolled Muskoke, but also Yuchi & Choctaw. He was a member of Polecat Ceremonial Ground and Euchee Chapter of Native American Church. He enjoyed attending powwows and stomp dances & visiting with all the family. He loved taking pictures and video recording. He also was a member of the Eastgate Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Art served as a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as Radio Mechanic in Vietnam and received 3 Bronze Service Stars, Nat'I Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, he was a Marksman(Rifle), and received an Honorable Discharge. When he returned home, he married Nicole Marguerite Boyd and later Gladys Robinson. Although he never had any children, he had his niece Cheri Sherrells and her children were like his grandchildren, great grandchildren & even great great granddaughter. He had close relationships with cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.
Art was a hard worker and upon returning home from Vietnam he gained employment at Telex where he worked for several years. Later, he was a driver for Stand-by Personnel and also did janitorial services.
Art loved radio, music, live music & making friends wherever he went. He was a talented drummer & played drums at the Vegas Club, Brass Rail Lounge, Chuck's 300 Club, Dollhouse, & various country & western bars around Tulsa, Eufaula, Hannah. He was the original Indian Elvis & also was a singer and played in various bands at other clubs, restaurants, nursing homes, weddings, family reunions and at his niece Tricia's Indian art markets with his friends Joe, Barbara West, Jim Rayburn & Doug Simpson.
Art's greatest responsibility & accomplishment was to be a caregiver for his beautiful mother Elizabeth
Tecumseh James who was widowed since 1960. After his divorce he moved in with her to keep her company around the clock. He kept her safe, drove her, came home from work on his lunch or dinner break nearly every day to eat with her. Together they enjoyed taking in stray cats he spoiled, helping her with vardwork for her flowers, taking her to visit family especially her sister Lahoma who lived nearby, picking pecans out of the yard and collecting music & radio memorabilia. He especially looked forward to the Tecumseh family reunions where several family members played musical instruments and sang together at the lake or Lahoma & Wendel's home in Catoosa.
He is survived by his niece Cheri Haney, his grandchildren Tricia Fields Alexander & Hinhan Ska Haney.
Great grandchildren Serena (Riley) Irons, Jacob Todd, Ryan & Katie Alexander and one great great granddaughter Eden Rose Irons. He will be missed dearly by his last two cat kids-Pearl & Roy D. Mercer.
The visitation will be 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, April 18th, at Floral Haven Funeral Home. The funeral service will be 3:00 PM, Wednesday, April 19th, at the Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
What’s your fondest memory of Arthur?
What’s a lesson you learned from Arthur?
Share a story where Arthur's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Arthur you’ll never forget.
How did Arthur make you smile?